Follow the steps below before your immigrant visa interview at the U.S. Embassy Bern, Switzerland

If you do not complete each step before your visa interview, the consular section may require you to reschedule.

All applicants must follow the instructions below before going to the U.S. Embassy.

Step 1: Register

Before your visa interview appointment, register online. Registering lets us return your passport and documents to you after your visa interview. It also allows you to cancel or reschedule your interview if necessary. Rescheduling is only possible on a date after your assigned interview date.

Register >>

Step 2: Get a medical exam in Switzerland

As soon as you receive your appointment date, you must schedule a medical exam in Switzerland. Click the “Medical Exam Instructions” button below for a list of designated doctor’s offices in Switzerland. Please schedule and attend a medical exam with one of these doctors before your interview. 

Medical Exam Instructions >>

Step 3: Complete your pre-interview checklist

It is important that you bring all required original documents to your interview. We’ve created a checklist that will tell you what to bring. Please print the checklist below and bring it to your interview along with the listed documents.

Pre-Interview Checklist >>

Step 4: Review Interview Guidelines

Read our interview guidelines to learn about any special actions that you need to take before your visa interview.

Interview Guidelines >>

Medical Exam Instructions

All immigrant visa applicants, regardless of age, require a medical examination prior to the issuance of a visa. Only a physician accredited by the U.S. Embassy can perform this exam. It is your responsibility to schedule a medical exam with one of the doctors listed below before your visa interview at the U.S. Embassy. Medical examination results from other physicians will not be accepted.

Approved Physicians:

Bern:
Dr. Gregor Kaczala
Medbase Bern Bahnhof
Parkterrasse 10
3012 Bern
Tel: +41 31 335 50 00
Email: [email protected]
Please enter “Visa” on subject line

Geneva:
Dr. Christer Malmberg
18, Ch. De Chambésy
1292 Chambésy
Tel: (022) 758 33 33
Fax: (022) 758 03 66

Zurich:
Dr. Ben Christ
Konkordiastr. 12
8032 Zurich
Tel: 044 383 8422
Email: [email protected]
Please enter “Visa” on subject line

Items to bring to your medical examination

The doctor will need the following items to complete the medical exam forms:

• Your visa interview letter
• Your passport
• Four (4) recently taken passport-sized color photographs
• A copy of your immunization records
• DS-260 Confirmation Page

Any medical examination fees, including x-ray and blood test fees, must be paid directly to the examining physician.

During the medical exam

The medical exam will include:

• A medical history review,
• A physical exam,
• A chest X-ray,
• Blood tests (for applicants 15 years of age or older),
• Gonorrhea testing (for applicants 18–24 years of age, or as needed)
• Tuberculosis testing (for applicants two years of age and older).

Your physician may request other tests as needed. Be prepared to discuss your medical history, the medications you are taking, and the current treatments you are receiving. More information on general medical requirements for U.S. immigrants is available on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website.

U.S. immigration law requires immigrant visa applicants to get certain vaccinations prior to the issuance of a visa. Current immigrant visa vaccination requirements are available on CDC.Gov. There you can find information on what vaccines you need based on your age. You can also read the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about our medical exam requirements at Travel.State.Gov.

After the medical exam

When your exam is done, the doctor will either give you the results in a sealed envelope or send them directly to the U.S. Consulate.

IF YOU’RE GIVEN AN ENVELOPE TO CARRY TO YOUR INTERVIEW, DO NOT OPEN THIS ENVELOPE. Instead, bring it to your visa interview.

The physician will give you any x-rays he/she takes. You must carry the x-rays with you when you travel to the United States for the first time. You do not need to bring the x-rays to your visa interview unless you suffer from tuberculosis (TB).

Your visa is only valid for as long as your medical exam is valid. The medical exam is valid for 3 to 6 months depending on the results.

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Pre-Interview Checklist

Use the list below to determine the items that every applicant must bring to the immigrant visa interview:

• A copy of your NVC interview letter (does not apply to Diversity Visa, fiancé (e), adoptive, or asylee/refugee applicants).
  
  
• Unexpired passport valid for six months beyond your intended date of entry to the United States and a photocopy of the biographic page (where your name and photo are located).
  
  
• Two (2) color passport-size photographs of each person applying for a visa (5 cm x 5 cm, or 2 inch x 2 inch). Please review our online photo requirements.
  
  
• Confirmation page from the Form DS-260 Application for an Immigrant Visa you submitted online at ceac.state.gov/iv.
  
  
• Your original birth certificate, English translation, and a photocopy.
  
  
• Medical examination results in a sealed envelope (if the physician gives you these results).
  
  
• Original or certified copies of birth certificates for all children of the principal applicant (even if he or she is not accompanying).

Applicants who fall into any category listed in italics below should bring these additional documents:

For family-based visa applications:

• The appropriate Form I-864 Affidavit of Support for each financial sponsor along with a photocopy of the sponsor’s IRS transcript or most recent U.S. federal income tax return, and any relevant W-2s.
  
  
• Proof of your U.S. petitioner’s status and domicile in the United States (photocopy of a U.S. passport, naturalization certificate, or lawful permanent resident card).
  
  
• Evidence of the relationship between the petitioner and visa applicant (such as photographs, letters, or emails).

If you are married: Your original marriage certificate, English translation, and a photocopy.

If you were previously married: Your original divorce or spouse’s death certificate, English translation, and a photocopy.

If you are older than 16 years of age: The original police certificate from your country of current residence and countries of previous residence. If these three items are all true, you must bring a more recent police certificate to the interview:

1. You are older than 16 years;
2. You obtained a police certificate more than two years ago; and
3. You still live in the country that issued the police certificate.

For employment-based visa applications: Letter from your U.S. employer dated less than one month ago.

If you have ever been convicted of a crime: Court and criminal records, English translation, and a photocopy.

If you have served in any country’s military: Military records, English translation, and a photocopy.

If you are adopted: Adoption papers or custody documents, English translation, and a photocopy.

If you are the petitioner’s stepchild: The original marriage certificate of the petitioner and your biological parent, English translation, and a photocopy along with divorce records for any previous marriages of either parent.

For MIV Applicants: Bring the exact original of all documents you uploaded in CEAC. 

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Interview Guidelines

Sending documents to the U.S. Embassy in Bern, Switzerland

If we ask you to provide additional documents, send them by post to:

US Embassy,
Immigrant Visa Unit,
PO Box, 3001 Bern

You may also send them via e-mail ([email protected]). Do not send any original documents to us; only send photocopies via courier or mail. You may bring original documents (plus a photocopy for the consulate’s files) to your visa interview.

Rescheduling or cancelling your interview

If you are unable to attend your appointment, reschedule by visiting https://www.usvisascheduling.com/. There may be a wait before the next available appointment, so try to attend the date we already assigned you. There’s no guarantee that a visa will still be available if you reschedule your appointment. Check the Visa Bulletin carefully before you reschedule your interview. If you’re applying for a Diversity Visa (DV), remember that visas are limited in number and must be issued by September 30 of the program year.

Note: You must register your original NVC/KCC appointment online before you can reschedule it. Rescheduling is only possible on a date after your assigned appointment.

Security screening procedures

All visitors to the U.S. Embassy Switzerland must follow certain security procedures. Any visitor who declines to be screened by U.S. Embassy security personnel will be unable to enter the Embassy. To avoid delaying your entry and that of those in line behind you, please bring only what is required for your interview. If you leave items in your car, be sure to put them in the trunk and lock your car; do not leave any personal items in view in the passenger compartment.

Accompanying people

The following people may accompany a visa applicant to their interview:

• Interpreter: Applicants may bring ONE interpreter if they do not speak English well enough to participate in an interview.
• Special Needs Visitors: Applicants may bring ONE person to help if they are elderly, disabled, or a minor child.

Attorneys may not go with clients into the waiting room or to their interview.

Immigrant visa fees

If you have not paid all required fees to either the National Visa Center or via the appointment website, please be prepared to pay these fees on the day of your interview.

All fees may be paid in U.S. dollars. We accept cash and credit cards only. If you are found ineligible to receive a visa we cannot refund your application fee. You can find a complete list of fees at Travel.State.Gov.

Do not make travel plans outside of U.S. Embassy Bern, Switzerland

If your visa is approved, we will keep your passport at the Embassy while we prepare your immigration packet and print a visa for your passport. We will return your passport to you later via courier services only. If you must travel within Switzerland while your passport is still with us, please make sure you have a valid picture ID other than your passport. 

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After Your Visa Interview

A consular officer can decide on a visa application only after reviewing the formal application and interviewing the applicant. There is no guarantee that you will receive a visa. Do not sell your house, car or property, resign from your job or make non-refundable flight or other travel arrangements until you have received your immigrant visa.

If more information is needed

Sometimes a consular officer refuses a visa application to review additional documents or for administrative processing.

For additional documents:

• The consular officer will give you a refusal letter that asks you to submit additional documents.
• The letter will include instructions on how to submit those documents to the embassy.

For administrative processing:

• This means the consulate needs more time to review your case.
• How long this takes depends on your specific situation.

Wait at least 90 days after your interview before asking about your application status.

What happens after visa approval

Passport, Visa, and Sealed Immigrant Packet – We will place your immigrant visa on a page in your passport. Please review your visa to make sure there are no spelling errors. We will also give you a sealed envelope containing documents that you must give to U.S. immigration authorities when you arrive in the United States for the first time.

Do not open this envelope. You must carry it with you; do not put it in your checked luggage.

If you receive X-rays during your medical examination, carry those with you and give them to the U.S. immigration authorities.

USCIS Immigrant Fee – All individuals who are issued immigrant visas overseas must pay an Immigrant Fee to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) before traveling to the United States. This fee is for processing your residency status and printing your Permanent Resident Card. The only people exempt from paying this fee are: children entering the United States under the Hague Process, returning residents, and people traveling on a K visa. 

When You Should Travel – You must enter the United States before the expiration date on your visa, which is usually six months from the date of printing. Your visa cannot be extended and all fees are nonrefundable. The principal applicant must enter before or at the same time as other family members with visas. Children who turn 21 years old after visa issuance must enter the United States before they turn 21 years old; otherwise they will lose their immigrant status.

Getting a Green Card – Your Form I-551 Permanent Resident Card, also known as a green card, will be automatically mailed to the address in the United States that you write in your visa application form. This is a very important document that proves you have permission to reside in the United States. Do not travel outside of the United States until you receive your Permanent Resident Card. Once your card is issued, you should not stay outside of the United States for more than one year. If you do, you will lose your status as a Lawful Permanent Resident.

Children’s Issues – Children are required to have certain vaccinations before they can enroll in school in the United States. Therefore, we recommend that you bring your child’s complete vaccination records with you to the United States. Additionally, if your child is adopted, you have full custody as a result of a divorce, or you share custody with the child’s other parent; we recommend that you bring a copy of all applicable adoption or custodial papers from the authoritative court in your home country. You will likely need these papers (translated into English) in the United States for issues such as school enrollment, medical care, and eventual citizenship.

Information for New Immigrants – Please visit the USCIS web page for helpful information on moving to the United States. You can read their publication “Welcome to the United States: A Guide for New Immigrants” online.

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Diversity Visa Applicants - Additional Information

If you are interviewing for a Diversity Visa (DV), all of the above instructions apply to you. Please schedule and attend a medical examination prior to your visa interview and gather the required documents.

Below are additional instructions that apply only to DV applicants. 

Bring to your interview

In addition to the documents listed on the Pre-Interview Checklist in this package, DV applicants should also bring the following items to your visa interview:

• Appointment information printed from the “Entrant Status Check” on the E-DV website
• Documents showing that you have either a qualifying high school education OR have two years of qualifying work experience in the last five years immediately prior to application (for the principal applicant only; more information is available at Travel.State.Gov).
• Payment in cash of the $330 Diversity Visa Application Fee.

Review your DV Lottery entry

Prior to your visa interview, we recommend that you review the data on your initial E-DV entry. On your initial E-DV application, you must have correctly entered your marital status. If you are legally married you must have listed your spouse, even if you are currently separated from him/her (unless your spouse is a U.S. citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident).

Additionally, you must have listed ALL of your living children who are unmarried and under 21 years old. This includes your natural children, your spouse’s children, or children you have formally adopted in accordance with the laws of your country.

Failure to have listed an existing spouse or children at the time of your entry in the Diversity Visa lottery will result in the denial of your visa and visas for your family. Any fees paid to the U.S. government in support of your visa application(s) are nonrefundable. If you failed to include a child who had already been born, or a spouse to whom you were married when you entered the lottery, you should not proceed with the visa application. You can review the eligibility requirements at Travel.State.Gov.

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